2012 - 2013 Film Studies Courses

FILM

110

Introduction to Film History and Aesthetics

(4)

This course examines the formal elements of film and its history, from the earliest experiments in motion photography through the present. Students will learn the terminology and concepts of film analysis (mise-en-scene, montage, cinematography, etc.) in the context of film's evolution across the twentieth century. Films may include profanity, violence, and/or sexually explicit images.

FILM

210

History of American Cinema

(4)

This course surveys the historical development of film in the United States and its place in American culture, beginning with the earliest experiments in motion photography, through the silent era, the studio system and the influence of television. It examines the dominant genres such as comedy, musical, film noir, and western films. It explores the development of formal elements of film, including editing, sound, and color. Films may include profanity, violence, and/or sexually explicit images.

FILM

220

World Cinema

(4)

A selective consideration of films from around the world and from various historical periods, World Cinema focuses predominantly but not exclusively on films from the developing world and from underrepresented populations in the West. The emphasis is on cinema's intersection with social realities. Students may consider cinematic engagements with such issues as African decolonization, gender segregation in middle-class Indian homes in the 1950s, and poverty in urban Brazil. Prerequisite: FILM 110. Films may include profanity, violence, and/or sexually explicit images.

FILM

300

Special Topics

(1-4)

This is the general designation for film electives, which explore specific elements of film, film history, and interdisciplinary film studies. Courses include: Film Theory, Cinematography and Editing, National Cinemas, Documentary Film, Sociology of Popular Culture, Screenwriting, Film Genres, Narrative and Adaptation, and Race in Film.

FILM

310

Film Theory

(4)

A survey of the most important and influential schools of film theory and criticism, including Soviet montage, semiotics, feminism, psychoanalysis, and cultural studies. Students will read and discuss influential texts of film theory, and will also consider films themselves as theoretical interventions. The course will likely include writings by such figures as Andre Bazin, Sergei Eisenstein, Walter Benjamin, Christian Metz, and Mary Ann Doane. Films may include profanity, violence, and/or sexually explicit images. Prerequisite: FILM 110.

FILM

323

Creative Writing: Screenwriting

(3)

A course that focuses on writing film scripts, stressing effective narrative, dialogue and character development. Coursework includes viewing films as well as writing and analyzing scripts. Same as ENGL 323.

FILM

345

Introduction to Video Production

(3)

This course covers the basics of video production and editing. Topics include storyboarding, camera operation, sound, lighting and editing, as well as a wide variety of film and video genres including narrative, documentary and experimental.

FILM

401

Directed Studies

(1-4)

A tutorial-based course used only for student-initiated proposals for intensive individual study of topics not otherwise offered in the Film Studies Program. Prerequisites: consent of instructor and school dean.

FILM

440

Internship

(1-8)

Offers students the opportunity to integrate classroom knowledge with practical experience. Prerequisites: junior or senior standing (for transfer students, at least 15 hours completed at Westminster or permission of instructor), minimum 2.5 GPA, and consent of program director and Career Center internship coordinator.